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Summary
Summary
Roald Dahl is best remembered as the author of many well-loved children's stories. But he was also the creator of some astonishingly imaginative, outrageous, and wonderfully disgusting verses. From oozing grobes to slimy slugs, this extraordinary collection is bursting with Dahl's poems, verses, and songs. And with full-color original illustrations from a distinguished group of more than twenty artists, including Quentin Blake,William Joyce, and Lane Smith, this lavish volume is a must-have for any Dahl fan's library.
Author Notes
Roald (pronounced "Roo-aal") was born in Llandaff, South Wales. He had a relatively uneventful childhood and was educated at Repton School. During World War II he served as a fighter pilot and for a time was stationed in Washington, D.C.. Prompted by an interviewer, he turned an account of one of his war experiences into a short story that was accepted by the Saturday Evening Post, which were eventually collected in Over to You (1946).
Dahl's stories are often described as horror tales or fantasies, but neither description does them justice. He has the ability to treat the horrible and ghastly with a light touch, sometimes even with a humorous one. His tales never become merely shocking or gruesome. His purpose is not to shock but to entertain, and much of the entertainment comes from the unusual twists in his plots, rather than from grizzly details.
Dahl has also become famous as a writer of children's stories. In some circles, these works have cased great controversy. Critics have charged that Dahl's work is anti-Semitic and degrades women. Nevertheless, his work continues to be read: Charlie and Chocolate Factory (1964) was made into a successful movie, The BFG was made into a movie in July 2017, and his books of rhymes for children continue to be very popular.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-6-Dahl wrote many delightful poems, some of which are hidden in his splendid novels. This dynamic collection includes "The Centipede's Song" from James and the Giant Peach and "Willy Wonka's Wonka-Vite" from Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. The verses are illustrated by an assortment of talented artists, including Chris Wormell, Chris Riddell, Babette Cole, and Tony Ross. Quentin Blake's signature line drawings introduce each thematic section. Playful lines like "Veruca Salt, the little brute,/Has just gone down the rubbish chute ("Concerning Veruca Salt") and "We may see a Creature with forty-nine heads/Who lives in the desolate snow,/And whenever he catches a cold (which he dreads)/He has forty-nine noses to blow" ("There's No Knowing What We Shall See") are irresistible. Unfortunately, no biographical information is provided for the illustrators. An index lists the titles of the poems under their sources along with their page numbers but no index of first lines is included. This vivacious addition to poetry collections will amuse a broad audience.-Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Vile Verses by Roald Dahl will likely propel readers directly into the author's longer works. Some selections can be appreciated on their own, such as "Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs" (from Revolting Rhymes)-"When little Snow-White's mother died,/ The king, her father, up and cried,/ `Oh, what a nuisance! What a life!/ Now I must find another wife!' " In Babette Cole's portrait, the new queen looks both magnetic and diabolical. William Joyce reimagines "The Ant-Eater" from Dirty Beasts, and various passages from James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory come to life thanks to artists as diverse as Alexis Deacon and Neal Layton-whose Oompa-Loompas are especially comical. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved